Living in the mid-west, its impossible not to follow the Big Ten. It's a damn shame that Benn has a TERRIBLE QB in the Illinois' offense. Benn's numbers are terrible, he isn't getting an opportunity to catch the ball. I've expressed my feelings about Juice Wiiliams and he has single-handly thrown Benn's draft stock in the shitter. 4 Games, 10 Receptions.....138 Yards. That should be 1 game's production. The more I think about Juice Williams the more pissed I become...he sucks. I hope Eddie MaGee plays the rest of the year or even give the Freshman, Jacob Charest a shot. Both Benn and Bryant's stock will drop (Bryant maybe not as much) and may find themselves Mid/Mid-late 1st rd picks. The top-ten is out of the question if Benn's numbers don't pick up. Some team will get an awesome player that is taylor made for the NFL. Juice Williams will owe Benn a bunch of coin. I still think 2010's draft class is very good, but some of the top rated players going into this season have seen their stock drop......injuries, suspensions, punching opponents (Idiot), lack of productivity. The very top of this draft class projected a few months ago is now very fluid. I'm telling you guys.....I'm projecting Jimmy C to be the #1 pick, if St Louis, is on OTC!!
Clausen as the #1 is a scary thought, but I'd root for the kid if he made it to STL. I just don't want him on a team I hate.
I'm predicting JC returns for his senior year. Benn was a ND commit, but spurned Weis for Zooker on signing day. He might regret that now missing out on playing with Tate, Floyd and Clausen.
Good point..Chops....bringing up Benn's recruitment. He probably made a HUGE mistake. Although, many will say Benn is still a top-rated receiver even in Illini's system...talent is talent. I remember Benn also considering Florida State. He had a late visit to Illinois and that sealed the deal. IMO, Benn should have never considered Illinois, it wasn't a good fit. I don't think the #1 or 2 recruited wideout in the Nation 3 years ago should have considered a Big Ten school, especially Illinois. You should pick a school for their offensive system and ND would have been an ideal choice. Maybe Benn didn't want to compete with the talented receivers at ND. Illinois' offense is in turmoil. I blame alot on Juice Williams, but also maybe Mike Locksley, last year's O-Coor, leaving for New Mexico has something to do with their production. Maybe I'm being too tough on Benn, alot of it isn't his fault, but if your production goes down dramatically it will effect your draft stock. Although, some NFL team with the right system, is going to get a playa. If Jimmy C continues to have a great year, strike while the iron is hot and don't look back. If you have an opportunity to possibly be the #1 pick.....leave, end of story. Weis can be convincing and the opportunity to play with Floyd again could be a factor.
With what happened to Bradford, I don't think there's any way that Clausen will go back to school. If he's got the juice going for him, then why risk heading back to school and getting hurt, or even getting jumped by a player that's got some mojo of his own. As for Benn, I think workout time he's going to be showing teams why he's so highly thought of. If he understands that he has to come out and ball during the combine, then I don't see why he still won't be a top ten guy. The thing is that his stock could very easily plummet like few others if he doesn't show up in the post season stuff, because in season isn't going to get much better.
Even though we got Braylon, I'd still take Benn or Bryant if they fell to the late 20's. You can never give a young QB enough weapons.
I started this thread to discuss Benn's draft status. I agree a WR isn't a need in rd 1, and DL/OL depth is a priority. Lets' not kid ourselves, after Edwards and Cotchery, our WR depth is very limited. I'd like to see the Jets pick up a #3 experienced WR in FA. If Cotchery doesn't play tomorrow..Edwards and Brad Smith are the starting WRs. Doesn't scare many defenses.
Don't worry about Benn's lack of stats. The Fighting Illini play Fresno State at the end of the season. I'm sure he'll toast their porous secondary...everyone else has. After watching Mardy Gilyard run all over the Dogs, I'd love to see him playing for the Jets next season. He has all the tools to be a very good slot receiver in the NFL.
I hate to say it, but I have a feeling Fresno's current secondary will make Juice look like an All-American. Pat Hill is finally shaking up the depth chart and letting younger guys play. If some freshman and sophomore corners take over starting roles, their may be some improvement.
With a rookie signing bonus restriction on the horizon, barring losing two more games I think Claussen comes out for the draft. Let the Crist era begin.
